Malaga dresses up to honor bullfighting

The bullfighting community of Málaga dressed up this Monday to parade at the Edgar Neville Auditorium of the Provincial Council and enjoy ... a splendid afternoon where the grand door of success was opened after honoring bullfighting with the presentation of about fifteen awards to bullfighters, assistants, and ranchers in recognition of their triumphs in the arenas of the province and where a tribute was paid to the local matador Javier Conde for his thirty years of alternativa.

With the sign 'Sold Out', authorities, professionals from the bullfighting world, and fans attended the third bullfighting gala organized by the provincial institution in collaboration with the entities and organizations that grant awards: the Provincial Council itself, the Provincial Bullfighting School, the Cártama Bullfighting Club, the specialized portal Málaga Taurina, Toroshopping, the Cultural Association La Torería, and the charity Toros con la Luna. The College of Veterinarians did not present its award as it declared the trophy for the best bull void.

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Conde has received, in its second edition, the recognition that the Provincial Council makes to the professional and artistic career in the art of bullfighting. In a heartfelt speech, the Malaga matador thanked Málaga for "having loved me, demanded from me, and hated me"; he reviewed his close bond with La Malagueta: "My life is tied to this arena"; and he expressed his bitterness for not being able to celebrate in this arena his three decades as a bullfighter: "They did not allow me to."

In a speech preceded by the profile made by the Director of Bullfighting Affairs of the Provincial Council, Borja Ortiz, Conde had emotional and heartfelt words about the support of his family over the years, which he summarized in his thanks to his father, Curro Conde: "I want to shout that each of the passes I have made in these thirty years is dedicated to my father because everything I have been as a bullfighter I owe to you." He also highlighted the influence of his wife, Estrella Morente: "I bullfight for you and my bullfighting is greater since I met you."

"Each of the passes I have made in these thirty years is dedicated to my father because everything I have been as a bullfighter I owe to you," says Conde

"I receive this award with humility, excitement, and the commitment to continue honoring bullfighting with truth," said an excited David de Miranda upon receiving the Estoque de Plata trophy as the author of the best performance of the Málaga bullfighting fair. A performance where he demonstrated bravery on an afternoon that, as he acknowledged, "will always remain in my heart and bonded me to this arena" and where he put "his soul ahead of his body." "That's why this award has a special value," he emphasized.

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Diego Urdiales and Pablo Aguado have received two awards. The Riojan matador highlighted that it is "an honor to bullfight in this wonderful fair and in the Málaga arena, where bullfighting is felt in a special way." For his part, the Sevillian, upon receiving the trophy for the best cape bullfighting, remarked that his performance in La Malagueta, where he drew three exquisite veronicas and a half pass, is "one of the most beautiful moments I have had in this arena." Aguado also made a donation to the Little Sisters of the Poor after receiving the award for uniqueness, making evident one of the values of bullfighting such as solidarity.

Upon receiving his award as the best rejoneador, Diego Ventura recalled that he debuted in public in Churriana and stated that La Malagueta is an arena where "I feel very comfortable and always take an extra step." Morante excused his absence to collect the award for the winner in the arenas of the province and did so on his behalf by Dr. Carlos Bueno.

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As president of the Union of Breeders of Fighting Bulls, Antonio Bañuelos thanked for the special mention granted by the Provincial Council and highlighted "the noble craft of raising a unique animal."

Among the teams, the picador Juan Peña thanked for the distinction as did the banderilleros Daniel Duarte and Juan Contreras, who recognized the special meaning that their awards bear the names of two men of silver who are history of bullfighting like Manolo Ortiz and Alfonso Ordóñez.

Emotional Moment

One of the most emotional moments of the gala was experienced when the young Daniel Artazos, who suffered a severe goring last August in the novilladas without horses and whose aftermath is still evident in the collar he wore to the gala, received an acknowledgment. "I came to Málaga with great excitement, to a special arena, but everything vanished and I found myself in the hospital unable to move my body. It has been tough months of uncertainty and also learning the other side of bullfighting. I hope to return very soon and be able to finish what I started that day," he said.

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Meanwhile, Ignacio Garibay stated that in Málaga he experienced "very special emotions" during the bullfighting schools contest he won, while Julio Méndez thanked for the award.

The president of the Provincial Council of Málaga, Francisco Salado, highlighted the importance of the awardees attending galas like the one held this Monday stating that the festival needs "close and accessible" references and highlighted that bullfighting is "more alive than ever" recalling that in the case of the province nearly fifty events have been held this season and new municipalities have joined with bullfighting shows.

Salado also highlighted the "ambitious and revolutionary" tender that has been issued to award La Malagueta, while asking for "fair play", that there be no pressures from certain bullfighting sectors, and that "no torpedoing or discrediting" of the work being done by the Provincial Council.

In the face of the competition for the management of La Malagueta, Salado demands "fair play" and that "no torpedoing" of the work of the Provincial Council

The gala, hosted by journalists Noelia López and Germán Estela, featured two performances by students from the 'Ángel Pericet' Higher Conservatory of Dance and was capped off by the voice of Estrella Morente performing 'La niña de Puerta Oscura' and 'Nostalgia' with the piano notes of José Cano.

THE TROPHIES

Winner of the Bullfighting Schools Contest. Ignacio Garibay.

Best Novice Bullfighter. Julio Méndez.

'Manolo Ortiz' Trophy for the Best Brega. Daniel Duarte.

'Pepillo de Málaga' Trophy for the Best Lancing. Juan Francisco Peña.

Trophy for Uniqueness. Pablo Aguado.

'Antonio Ordóñez' Trophy for the Best Silver Bullfighter. Juan Contreras.

Winner in the Provincial Arenas. Morante de la Puebla.

Trophy for the Best Cape Bullfighting. Pablo Aguado.

'Francisco Mancebo' Trophy for the Best Rejoneador. Diego Ventura.

'Paco Madrid' Trophy for the Best Stab. Diego Urdiales.

'Antonio Ordóñez' Silver Sword for the Best Performance. David de Miranda.

Special Recognitions. To the novice bullfighter Daniel Artazos; to Diego Urdiales for a providential removal; to the Royal Union of Breeders of Fighting Bulls for its 120th anniversary and to Javier Conde for his career.